Bio-diversity

Rusinga Island is Kenyas second largest island in Lake Victoria with an area of 43 sq km. The island was once covered with dense forest of indigenous trees which has been cleared for human settlement resulting in a tree cover of only 5-10%. The island is characerized by ersoions and a loss of soil which is washed to the Lake Victoria. There is an urgent need for afforestation of the island both for fuelwood and other timber needs as well as for the protection of the soil and the general environment. The Rusinga Island workshop was conducted to discuss the possibility for environmental intervention on the island. The 40 workshop participants deliberated on possible approaches to tree planting interventions and how to target certain grouos such as the youth and scholl children. In addition strategies around the greening of hills, feeder roads, beaches and development of woodlots were also discussed. The participants also examined how HIV/Aids can be factored in any such interventions, as well as food security concerns and income diversification as a result of tree planting. The recommendations made at the end of the workshop were many, yet insightfull in order to implement a cluster of projects aiming at greening the island and ehnace the livelihoods of the target groups. They provide a wealth of information for the planning of the future interventionsand covered all the key issue which emerged over the workshop period. One important consideration was the development of a Master Plan for Rusinga Island, so that the momentum of any initiatives can be sustained over a longer period, as part of a broader plan of development.

Kenya